Ivy is a versatile green or variegated plant that climbs or acts as ground cover. As an evergreen plant grown for its leaves the plants would need nitrogen based fertiliser but I have found Ivies grow well even in poor soil.
- Ivy uses it’s airial roots to cling rather than for sustinance and they can be used to climb tree stumps or cover unsightly sheds or walls.
- I have found most varieties to be hardy, strong growers so keep them in control with hard trimming and pruning.
- Ivy can grow even in shady areas so is useful for the awkward dark corners. The variegation will be better with good light.
- Types of Ivy include Hedera helix English Ivy or Heart leaved, large leaved Algerian Ivy Hedera canariensis. There are numerous varieties with different features including white, yellow or cream variegation or crinkled leaves.
- H colchica Persian Ivy is less hardy but have large leaves and a plesant sprawling habit. Hedera hibernica also known as Irish ivy is one of the fastest growing varieties if you want quick results.
Indoor Ivy
- We grow several pots of Ivy in the house. The smaller leaved types look best and can trail out of various pots and survive in lower light conditions than other houseplants.
- Traditionally Ivy is used at Christmas for decoration and festive wreaths. Gold or silver-leaved ivy can be draped over Christmas trees to make attractive and natural alternatives to tinsel.
- The National Trust maintains a National Collection of Ivy at Erddig Hall Wrexham
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